Welcome to Bimmerfest -- The #1 Online Community for BMW related information! Please enjoy the discussion forums below and share your experiences with the 200,000 current, new and past BMW owners. The forums are broken out by car model and into other special interest sections such as BMW European Delivery and a special forum to voice your questions to the many BMW dealers on the site to assist our members!

E39 (1997 - 2003) The BMW 5-Series (E39 chassis) was introduced in the United States as a 1997 model year car and lasted until the 2004 when the E60 chassis was released. The United States saw several variations including the 525i, 528i, 530i and 540i. -- View the E39 Wiki

well I've owned my 540 for about 5 months now and I love the car. When originally looking to purchase a car I was looking at E36 M3's, but I found my 540 for such a good deal I couldn't resist.

Now the opportunity has struck. My friend has a very clean 97 M3 coupe that is cosmos black with a NEW paint job and black vadars that are in great shape. the cons: it has 216,XXX and my 540 just rolled 140,000. both I'd say are in equal shape.

If that M3 is manual and taken care of at that mileage, doesn't scare me. I would get it. However I would not get rid of my E39, I would just add it too my stable. I love my 528, perfect blend of sport-luxury.

M3: Sportier, LSD, lighter, better handeling, And hey its an M car... 540i, more comfy ride, lots of torque, open diff..... heavier, less of a race car and more of a fast beautiful sport sedan. It all depends on what you want. If you want a sports car get the M3. If you want a luxury sedan with sport package, get the 540i. What do you prefer about one over the other? Pros and cons so to speak?

Most importantly, what are you seeking in a car? How often do you carry back passengers? A coupe is a totally different car and is a PITA if you carry a lot of rear passengers. Both cars are fast. The M3 may handle a bit better. But with another 76K miles on it. That's not insignificant. Think carefully. Car envy can get very expensive...

Well no kids anytime soon in the future, and usually if I am carrying passengers it's just one. If they both were at 140k like my 540 I'd have to pick the ///M3.

I'm learning that the car is cursed(well at least for him) in the last month he had a misfire so all the coils were replaced, radiator HOSES, had a nice quick upgrade to style 5's and two weeks later they were stolen off his car in front of his house, then pushed the car off jacks. Didn't know people still stole rims. Then he got in a gender bender where the front quarter panel got chewed up in it, but on the bright side it has some Fresh cosmos black on it!

Stick with what you have now. you know your car well and what to expect for maintenance. The 540 is a more refined (dare I say mature?) vehicle and exudes a sporty side with the presence of the V8 (+ your personal mods). I'd also check and see what your insurance might go up to with the M.
If you could do both, that solves the dilemma.

__________________

"'Tis nothing good or bad, only thinking makes it so."
-William Shakespeare